Cyclopropyl malonoyl peroxide (1), which can be prepared in a single step from the commercially available diacid, is an effective reagent for the dihydroxylation of alkenes. Reaction of 1 with an alkene in the presence of 1 equiv of water at 40 °C followed by alkaline hydrolysis leads to the corresponding diol (40-93%). With 1,2-disubstituted alkenes, the reaction proceeds with syn selectivity (3:1 to >50:1). A mechanism consistent with the experimental findings that is supported by oxygen-labeling studies is proposed.
The effect of fluorinated alcohols on the dihydroxylation of alkenes using cyclopropyl malonoyl peroxide is described. Addition of perfluoro-tert-butyl alcohol to a toluene solution of alkene and peroxide increases the rate of product formation and the stereoselectivity observed, providing a simple and effective method for acceleration of this important class of reaction. Basic hydrolysis of the crude reaction mixture provides access to syn-diols in high yield and stereoselectivity.
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